Canada Soccer condemns abuse of Mark-Anthony Kaye following sending-off in Costa Rica
Published March 25, 2022 at 8:59 pm
Canada Soccer has condemned abusive comments directed at Mark-Anthony Kaye following his sending-off in Thursday’s 1-0 loss in Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying play.
The Colorado Rapids midfielder was subjected to racial and other social abuse on social media in the wake of his 34th-minute ejection for a second yellow card.
“Canada Soccer strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at a member of our squad on social media,” the governing body said in a statement posted on is social media channels Friday.
“Such vile and disgusting behaviour is unacceptable. Full stop. We will do all we can to support our players — who have given everything to represent our country honourably — while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.”
After the game Thursday, Canada coach John Herdman said Kaye had the support of the entire squad.
“I just had a moment with him (at halftime) and said ‘Look, (it’s) football, we learn. Pressure does things to people. It’s normal. We love you. You’re our brother. And we move forward. We’ll fight again together.’ That was it.
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“I mean, the lad’s devastated. Absolutely devastated. He knows what that meant tonight.”
Canada has a second opportunity to secure their first men’s World Cup berth in 36 years on Sunday. A draw or win against Jamaica in a 4:05 p.m. match at BMO Field in Toronto will be enough to clinch a top-three finish in the CONCACAF Octagonal.
The top three finishers in the region go to the World Cup in Qatar this fall. The fourth-place team will go to an intercontinental playoff game.
Canada has earned 25 points from 12 rounds. The United States and Mexico each have 22, followed by Costa Rica with 19 and Panama with 18.
— The Canadian Press
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